I went to Salon Cuvee this morning to get my hair cut. I was quite happy with the haircut I received from Erin, who did a great job. However, the experience I had at the couner afterward was somewhat bizarre.
As I pulled my credit card from my bag to pay, I was told that, because the stylist is renting a chair, I needed to pay with cash or a check. I don't recall being told this when I made the appointment. I don't carry cash or my checkbook with me as a general rule-- who does anymore? I haven't for years. When I explained this, I was sent *to the liquor store across the street(!)* where, theoretically, there was an ATM.
In fact there was no ATM, just a guy with a cash register and a $40.00 maximum on ATM withdrawals-- which wasn't enough, as the cut was $55.00 - not cheap.
Eventually I was sent home with an addressed envelope (I had to ask them to stamp it for me) so that I could put my payment in the mail.
Now, I've been in business myself, and I know that merchant fees are not free, but, at the very least, the ownership of this establishment could go a long way toward conveniencing the customer by providing this very basic and inexpensive service for their subcontractors. It wouldn't be *that* expensive. They are obviously doing a good business; they just punched a doorway through a wall in order to expand into another room.
Verdict: The styist did a nice job, but I will not be back. This was a bizarre experience. It's just basic business sense to treat a customer better than I was treated.
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